Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bronchial asthma, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current disability picture.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a back disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining relevant private medical records and providing an adequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, service connection for radiculopathy, and increased ratings, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2020.

The Board dismissed several appeals related to disability ratings and denied a higher rating for tension headaches, as well as an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a lumbar spine disability due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the December 2023 Board decision.

The Board granted service connection for right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and lumbosacral strain. The appeal was denied for facial scars, increased ratings for cervical spine DDD with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tear with chondrosis, limited flexion, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and unspecified anxiety disorder as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for neck strain, low back disorder, and migraines based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence that the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the current disability and active service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, lower lumbar; service connection for sleep apnea; and service connection for ulcerative colitis. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine based on new evidence associated with the claims file in August 2015.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities required regular assistance in daily activities.

The Board denied service connection for a back/lumbar condition, neck/cervical condition, and right upper extremity ulnar nerve impairment, to include carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board finds that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on a need for supervision, protection, or instruction due to his functional limitations caused by multiple diagnosed conditions.

The Board remands the claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and thyroid conditions to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the issues of whether the character of the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA compensation benefits, and entitlement to service connection for PTSD, back disability, and bilateral foot disability due to additional development needed.